//------------------------------// // Chapter 15-Forgotten Heroes // Story: Dismay Turned Discord // by Reedling //------------------------------// “Clover!?” A light blue unicorn yelled. A dirt caked unicorn replied just as loud. “Yes Swirl?” “I can’t find my notes on jet magic and Lingerius’ victims from-” “West wing, under your book of Dark Magics: Hexes and Other Evils.” “Oh! So it is, you saved my hide yet again dear Clover.” “Can you reach it alright? I need to let this potion ferment a whole three hours before I can combine the next ingredients.” Clover asked, turning to gaze Star Swirl. “I’m not crippled Clover, I’ll. be-fff-fine.” Each word stressed as the pony stretched to reach the book. “Why must these desks be so tall!” Star pouted, Clover had since crept over to Star Swirl. “Because these desks were bought for adults, I don’t think the Solus kingdom expected a filly prodigy. Here.” Clover raised the book with his magic. Star gave a high pitched grunt, biting onto her notes, then she started to sniff around and sighed heavily. “Clover you forgot to turn the heat down, and you added three tablespoons of cinnamon when the tea calls for only two teaspoons.” Clover gasped, running the pot he took three of the burning logs out of the fireplace dosing them with water. His eyes stared intently to the recipe. “Please be right, please be right, please-” He kept whispering. “Clover. That tea recipe is the one my grandmother made when I was teething, my family has been using that recipe since stars first popped into the sky. If you can’t make a four ingredient tea, how am supposed to trust you with rare herbs?!” “Because you decided you were so smart you got jet crystal on your horn and now you can’t use magic anymore! Or maybe because I’m your apprentice, and as such I have to learn?” “I learned that you have problems reading basic instructions.” Star Swirl scoffed. “I learned that you’ve been drinking too much tea Star.” “Nonsense Clover, tone can never drink too much tea. It is not nly healthy but can also be a hot or cold beverage, you can’t say the same to your fermented fruit juice. Clover, can you assist me again?” “What do you need this time?” Clover teased trotting to the sound of her voice. “Omen? It’s a royal letter asking for help.” “I’m impressed the Solus court remembered our address! Does it say what for?” Clover grinned softly at the stack of books Star Swirl had made to reach the letter box. With his magic he placed all the books neatly back in alphabetical order to their sections in the grand library. “To all exceptionally gifted unicorns, you are hereby called by your kingdom to uphold your pledge to aid in a disclosed and challenging mysterious ailment that has befallen a pony with high renown...”Star began to mumble on as she read the rest. Clover had never paid much attention to mail they received, he was never given any since his parents were long since past and since he was a beggar in his old hometown. Lets just say he didn’t have any pen pals to wish him luck in his studies. “Star...I don’t think we have to pack. There’s another letter here. Midnight Star is dead.” Star Swirl gave a disbelieving gasp,yanking the letter so hard Clover fumbled to stand straight. She tore the top with one of the sharp crystals embedded to her horn and as she read more and more of the letter her eyes watered, “Read the rest of the mail, every single one.” Star Swirl galloped to her private study, holding back her tears. Clover motioned a hoof to grab the filly, but he pulled it back and followed along with her orders. Most of the letters were menial findings reports or theories on the looming angst that was growing in the kingdom. a hoofful of the letters were specifically written to Star Swirl. “Star Swirl, what should I do with the letters addressed to you personally?” “Every. Single. One!” Star repeated, Clover had interrupted one of her emotion tantrums. He could hear his young mentor’s wailing echo from the extended walls of the library. “Poor thing.” He whispered. He resumed reading Star’s personal mail, a couple were incomplete drafts to elixirs hoping Star Swirl would know the last ingredient. But one of them caught Clover’s keen eye, he trotted to Star’s private study, using his magic to motion the door knocker. In an instant the child’s sobbing was hushed, Clover could hear items being shuffled, and Star gulping down something. She opened the door. “What does it say Clover?” “I..I didn’t read all of it Star, it’s from Sirius Dusk.” “Interesting...do you know which one?” “No...I have no clue.” “Let me see then.”Star smiled taking the paper with an added delicacy to apologize for her last hasty grab. “Ahh, Zebras. This is clearly the work of Sirius C Dusk, he’s always had a fascination with their culture.” “I believe Sirius C has found your answer to your theories on jet-” “It is not a theory Clover, I have reports from Saddle Arabia to the Crystal Empire confirming my findings!” “I’m sorry Star Swirl, I bet there are other wizards in your situation as well.” “Not likely...When I met The Council of Harmonics, their horns were clean.” Star lowered the letter and locked her eyes to her apprentice. “ I know what I did was wrong Clover. I put you and Equestria in potentail danger with my arrogance, I understand now that even though I maybe smart, it doesn’t mean I am without flaws.” “Thank you, Star.” Clover picked the filly up and hugged her tight. “Do you need more time to grieve for Midnight?” “No, I’ve spent enough time thinking about him. What I need is to work, could you find all the texts related to myths and legends?” She asked. “Make sure they are pre-Spectral War, any knowledge on Zebras would help most definitely as well!” Clover gave a wave and he started to climb up the tallest ladder to the ‘ancients and myths’ wing as her eyes scanned the letter re-reading it to memorize its prose and ink pools. ‘In one Zebra myth Crystalline(known to the Zebra as Chrysos) created the colors for the world we live in. Yet some of our own myths claim she is the embodiment of greed, that she created ores and gems as currency. But what if these Zebra and Pony myths were indeed true, not only that, what if they were the same or relate able? It is no secret that there is another ruling kingdom, run by ponies. They are the Crystal Empire, and their whole world is a mirror to our own, only everything there is crystal-like. What if Crystalline created this empire in her innocence and when her sister, torn between taking away the very thing young Crystalline lovingly created or submitting the whole world to become Crystalline's favorite color, She chose the lives of many lesser beings. She chose us. With her new found anger and betrayal Crystalline devoted herself to our suffering, she planned to take harmony itself and locked its very essence away from our grasp. She plunged our faith in each other and molded our mortal hearts to greed. We lost our neighborly disposition and locked our doors. We are heading to dark times fellow ponies, if we do not act in both heart and mind... -Sirius Dusk’ “It seems Sirius never finished writing this.”Star sighed disappointingly. “He was probably taken into custody before he could. I heard he and his father looked almost identical, adding to the fact they have a different surname that not many know of. I have to ask Star, how do you know so much about them?” Clover bellowed so she could hear, he had found the last tome called ‘Innocent and epic ballads of ol’ tymes’. “I’m related to them.” She mumbled her cheeks reflecting her embarrassment. “Are you serious!?” Clover turned to her as sacred texts fell like rain, he mustered his magic to collect the tomes before they hit the floor. “Why would I lie about family?” Star asked. “Most ponies would lie about family, especially if a family member committed treason and-” “You may see him as a tyrant, but he only wished to serve his country. The measure he took to achieve his powers were wrong and immoral, I agree but the Equinus Sugilite was only able to work because he was not only willing to do whatever it took,but his heart was yearned to lead.” Star preached as if this wasn’t the first time she had to defend his actions. “Star I’m not judging your family, it would be natural to hide such things without lying though.” Clover had made it down the last wooden step. “Here’s all the books I can recall with the topics you mentioned.” He floated them close so she could examine his findings. “‘Taboo tricks of the Savanna?’” Star mused. “Oddly named, yes but it is a book on herbs and the ways they are used in different Zebra tribes.” Clover stated. “Good find Clover, I’ve yet to read all the books we own. How about this one? ‘Chrysos or Crystals?’” “Summarizes magical properties found in different crystal and ore samples, it struck me because of the name used. Sirius used the word Chrysos didn’t he?” “Yes. Excellent work tying gut feeling and reason! Chrysos is the Zebra’s lost deity, said to have ‘painted the world with color’.” “Star Swirl, do you think we should be getting involved in this? If Midnight’s death is somehow related to Sirius...” “We don't have an option on this Clover, Midnight isn’t just a close friend. He was the King of Equestria and we signed an oath to protect our kingdom in times of war or immediate threat to the throne.” "You are related to the perpetrator, I don’t want anyone hurting you because of that connection.” “I may be related, Thank you for your concern but we were are being summoned to help. I won’t let family sway my obligatory duties to my kingdom.” “But some might not know your heart is for your kingdom.” “Clover, most of Equestria thinks I am a wise but death-faced stallion. The ponies that I give my attention to are the ones who know otherwise. Why don’t you try you luck on my Gran’s cinnamon rose tea while I study these books.” “This time I will use three teaspoons of cinnamon.” ===================================================================== “Is this the only way you could talk to me father?” “I was not sure if Luna...if she could control the moon still.” “Because of Crystalline.” “Exactly, though I do not mean to harm your new friend I do not trust her powers. She could because another tool for Crystalline to manipulate.” “Dad, I have to talk about somepony.” “About who Celes’?” “Your old friend Sirius, Why did he do it?” “What exactly do you think he did.” “He killed his father, gave innocent lives to Crystalline to hurt or worse and when he lost he pretended he wouldn’t be blamed for it.” “Heh...I was hoping you meant his son. Sirius believed in what Crystalline stands for power, greed, illusion, fear-you name it, if it defies The Six Principles of Harmony. She will find a way to twist a creature to it’s darker path, as she did with me. “ “Father...I don’t blame you for anything that has happened. I love you, and I wouldn’t want any other pony to my father.” “I just wish...I could’ve been Midnight Star, The king of Equestria. I don’t know why Pan thought adding a new personality in me would make me a better ruler.” “Maybe...because he still had to hid your memories and past so Crystalline couldn’t use you again.” “Then why not take my dark memories and Crystalline’s magic instead.” “Because forgetting your mistakes will lead you to repeat them.” “Ha-ha! Quoting your own father’s lessons back to him! And you’re right, I’m a fool for not seeing Pan for what he really is. Come now, we have some investigating to do.” Celestia felt her wings flap open. “Where are we going?” “To the place I tried to keep you away from. Everfree Castle.” The sun was still high and watching the earth in its protective warmth. It had sunk far enough that the clouds Celestia flew above mimicked the princess’ now flowing mane and tail. She felt her father’s guiding hooves motion her legs close together, and tapped her shoulders to tense her wings once more. “I never did teach you much about flying did I?” “No. But I got most of my flying technique down when I helped Uncle Damson.” “Ah yes, Damson. He’s that plum seller and you go on little adventures with him.” “Yes. My-not-imaginary-wine-selling-almost-married-mother-adventure-seeking-Uncle Damson.” Morpheus pushed out a heavy cough from Celestia’s lungs. “I never doubted my Celes’ adventurous displays of selflessness, just be sure not to tell me if Damson ever got you in harm’s way.” “Agreed. Now why are we heading to the castle? And why do you need me?” “Because I fear my unwanted gift is not only a sign that your mother and I were purposely blinded by Pan’s truth. But my old friend is not as late as Equestria believes The Unicorn King to be. You see Pan has an illness or two, or so I first thought as I tried to befriend him. The first being his social skills; A lack of trust, he feels safer when there’s fewer beings around him, he was cursed by Crystalline to change like the seasons. Although I have only recently seen all four seasons I remember vividly winter, spring and summer.” “And the fourth?” “Autumn. It is when the leaves fall, which makes Pan an uneasy ally. I do not trust him, nor should you.” “Then is it wise to leave mother and him in the castle?” “Your mother even after birthing you and Luna, saving Equestria from Sirius B. Still had enough power to fly you two to each of our hometowns. I doubt even Crystalline can hold your mother back if giving a reason to fight for. It’s just how she was raised as a Pegasus. No, what is pressing me, or should I say your mind right now is the sanity of my friend. The first time I had met him he went by Phaun. Something must have happened since the second time I found him. He was the size of you or Luna. It was then I started to feel hate and anger towards him, but the day of the Eclipse he revealed that he had instilled that hate in my newer personality so that he wouldn't be trusted so easily.” “What caused him to get so protective.” “And, what cause him to leave. I still haven't figured those out, I was searching for those answers in the bowl of serf’s stew.” “I interrupted you.” “Actually when you asked if he was a threat to Equestria, you gave me an epiphany. He was a threat to Equestria and I’m not sure if Chrysalis, Crystalline or even Pan himself knows why." Through the time Celestia talked to her father he had been guiding her through the disheveled Everfree Castle to Pan’s throne. With Celestia’s magic he made the sun’s rays illuminate the darkness in a gentle glow. Celestia gasped to the artistic perfection of multi-colored glass-etched murals that stood two stories high in a pillar. “This is a Unicorn tradition, the mosaic windows. They not only represent a willingness to have the past remembered, but it helped the older families to never be forgotten. When a rival family walked into the castle to dispute the authenticity of a deed, they would bring a sheet of crystal with him or her. But there are always the less reputable in nobility that would rather throw stones to whichever mosaic they did not believe, and with the help of a magic detect spell the master or mistress of the rival house would be forced lance.” “Would..what?” “Lance...joust. They would duel.” “I thought you were trying to say one word to mean another, like when you told Bitter Malus that you would look into his smashed fruit.” “Bitter is...He has a unique way of sensing trouble, but let's just say over the years Bitter Malus has been pointing more hooves then proof. You can’t just claim somepony a thief or bad on the past alone. If my bad choices were taken without seeing the good I aimed to achieve.” Morpheus phased himself out of Celestia. “I understand. It would’ve meant you not becoming king. But what if Bitter Malus asked you as a final resort. What if he knew who did it, even watched them cause the problem but couldn’t face them alone, they needed someone stronger.” “Wow Celestia, is there something we need to talk about?” “I think your darling daughter does not only understand matters long since forgotten, but that it was very nice of you to bring the child right to my hoofs.”